TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has become Ukraine’s third-largest battery supplier, according to a Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology report published Tuesday.
The report said Taiwan’s drone battery industry has made significant progress despite China’s long-standing dominance of the global market, per CNA. Taiwan’s drone industry reduced its reliance on Chinese battery cells from about 70% to 50% between 2024 and 2025, it said.
According to Ukrainian customs data cited in the report, Taiwan ranked as Ukraine’s 24th-largest battery supplier in 2019 but rose to third place in 2025, behind only China and Vietnam. Taiwan exported about NT$381.32 million (US$11.85 million) worth of batteries to Ukraine in Q1 this year, the report added.
Interviews with Taiwanese battery companies showed that some manufacturers are supplying Ukraine with 5-7 million drone battery cells per month, per the report. The companies mainly provide high-energy-density nickel manganese cobalt lithium batteries that can operate in Ukraine’s cold winter conditions.
The report noted that Taiwan’s battery manufacturing capabilities have improved in recent years, with annual battery cell production capacity reaching about 9.41 GWh. However, it warned that Taiwan remains dependent on China for upstream materials, including cathode active materials and anode active materials.
The report recommended that Taiwan reduce its reliance on Chinese battery supply chains by expanding domestic production and diversifying sources for key materials. It said the government should promote production standards and connect upstream and downstream industries.
